Rome (AFP)

No second year for Pirlo: propelled Juventus coach his thesis of coach barely supported, the ex-genius of the round ball has not succeeded in putting into practice his ideas of beautiful game and it is elsewhere than he will have to perfect his ranges.

"Thank you, Andrea. These are the first words we have to say at the end of this special experience together": Juventus formalized the departure of Pirlo on Friday, before probably welcoming the returning Massimiliano Allegri.

Two titles - the Italian Supercup and the Italian Cup - and a qualification in the Champions League snatched on the last day: the report card is not so bad at the end of a first learning season.

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But at Juventus, after a historic streak of nine consecutive Italian league titles, that is not enough.

Pirlo himself knew that he would first be judged by the results: "it's Juve, it's normal to have to win. It was the case as a player, it will also be as a coach", he said before the start of the season.

- "Objectives achieved" -

The title too quickly abandoned to Inter Milan, almost since the defeat in January against the Nerazzurri, and the elimination in the round of 16 of the Champions League have tipped the scales.

"It has been an intense, complicated but still wonderful year," Pirlo assured Instagram after his ouster.

"When I was called up by Juve, I never thought about the risk I was taking, although it was quite obvious (...). If I had to go back, I would make exactly the same choice" , he added, stressing having "achieved the objectives which had been set for me".

Pirlo was the bet of Turin President Andrea Agnelli.

Decided to rejuvenate the "Old Lady", he thus propelled last summer on the bench of the first team - in place of Maurizio Sarri - the one who thought to start smoothly with the under 23 years.

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Agnelli counted on the natural class of Pirlo and especially on the CV of the "Maestro": as a player, he won almost everything with AC Milan, Juventus and the Italian selection (a World Cup, two Champions Leagues and six Italian championships).

Pirlo seemed to be able to imitate Zidane or Guardiola, who however had had the opportunity to learn their trade from young people.

- "Total and collective" football -

All with great ideas of "total and collective football, with eleven players active in the offensive and defensive phase", as Pirlo described in his coaching thesis, validated in September before his first match.

He cited his models: "Barcelona of Cruyff and that of Guardiola, Ajax of Van Gaal, Milan of Ancelotti to Juventus of Conte".

The start is flattering, with a 3-0 against Sampdoria for the Premier League game on September 20, 2020.

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But with the fall, already arrive the first doubts: his players sometimes seem lost, without a guideline, and without character, despite a prestigious victory in Barcelona (3-0) in the Champions League.

Winter will spell the end of hopes, both in the league with the defeat that looks like a transfer of power against Inter (0-2) and a new premature exit from the Champions League against FC Porto (1- 2, 3-2 ap).

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His Juve has found neither his style nor a soul, still too dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo despite the "rejuvenation" launched this season with Federico Chiesa, Dejan Kulusevski, Weston McKennie or Arthur.

The only consolation: the successes in the Italian Supercup, against Naples (2-0), and in the Italian Cup against Atalanta (2-1).

Two first titles for a trainer determined to "take up new challenges".

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At 42, he has now learned another lesson well known to all coaches: the sidelines are also ejection seats.

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